Biak–Numfoor rain forests
Biak–Numfoor rain forests | |
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![]() Warsa Waterfall on Biak | |
![]() Ecoregion territory (in purple) | |
Ecology | |
Realm | Australasian realm |
Biome | tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests |
Geography | |
Area | 2,850 km2 (1,100 sq mi) |
Countries | Indonesia |
Province | Papua |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Critical/endangered[1] |
Protected | 20.86%[2] |
The Biak–Numfoor rain forests is a
.Geography
The surface geology of Biak and Supiori consists mainly of rugged coralline limestone, with outcrops of schist overlain by basaltic lavas and tuffs.[3] The highest elevations in the ecoregion are on Supiori, where a ridge of mountains parallel to Supiori's southern coast reaches 1,034 metres (3,392 ft) in elevation.
The islands are oceanic, and not part of the New Guinea continental shelf. Their physical isolation from New Guinea meant that plants and animals had to cross the ocean to get to the islands, giving rise to a unique flora and fauna that includes several endemic species.
Politically the islands fall into two
Climate
The ecoregion has a tropical rain forest climate.[1]
Flora
The original vegetation was tropical wet evergreen forest. The forests are similar in structure and
The tree canopy of the alluvial forest is irregular and multi-tiered, with many emergent trees rising above the canopy. The forests have a shrub and herb layer in the understory with a variety of palms, climbers, epiphytes, and ferns. The tree canopy of the hill forests is lower and more closed than the alluvial forests. The understory has a more open shrub layer and a denser herbaceous layer, with fewer palms.[1]
Dominant emergent trees on the islands include
The recently discovered endemic palm
Fauna
The ecoregion is home to 29 mammal species. Five species are endemic to the ecoregion – the Biak glider (Petaurus biacensis), Blue-eyed spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus wilsoni), Biak naked-backed fruit bat (Dobsonia emersa), Biak giant rat (Uromys boeadii), and Emma's giant rat (Uromys emmae). Biak and Supiori are home to endemic subspecies of the common spiny bandicoot, Echymipera kalubu philipi. The Japen rat (Rattus jobiensis) is near-endemic, and is also found on Yapen.[5][6]
107 bird species live in the ecoregion. Fourteen species are endemic to the ecoregion – the
The
Endemic butterflies include the Biak tiger (Parantica marcia), Biak threespot crow (Euploea tripunctata), and Damias biakensis.
Conservation and threats
In 2000, 97% of Biak Numfor Regency, which includes Biak, Numfor, and the Padaido Islands, had tree cover. 158,000 hectares, or 70% of its land area, was primary forest, and the rest was secondary forest or tree plantations.[10] In 2000 98% of Supiori had tree cover with 58,500 ha, or 87% of its land area, covered in primary forest.[11]
From 2001 to 2020, Biak Numfor Regency lost 15,400 ha of tree cover, a 7.1% decrease in tree cover since 2000. 3,960 ha, or 27%, was humid primary forest, a 2.5% decrease since 2000.[10] From 2001 to 2020 Supiori lost 1,300 ha of tree cover, about a 2% loss since 2000. About half of the tree cover lost (572 ha) was primary forest.[11]
Protected areas
20.86% of the ecoregion is in protected areas.[2] Protected areas include Biak Utara Nature Reserve (61.38 km2) on Biak,[12] and Pulau Supiori Nature Reserve (419.9 km2) on Supiori.[13]
External links
- "Biak-Numfoor rain forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- Geelvink Islands endemic bird area (Birdlife International)
- Biak–Numfoor rain forests (DOPA Explorer)
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Biak–Numfoor rain forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- ^ a b "Biak–Numfoor rain forests". DOPA Explorer. Accessed 9 July 2021
- ISBN 978-1-4612-9440-5.
- S2CID 24848021.
- ^ a b Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
- ^ S2CID 45545498.
- ^ "Geelvink Islands". Birdlife International. Accessed 9 July 2021
- ^ BirdLife International (2021) Species factsheet: Ptilinopus speciosus. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 11/07/2021
- S2CID 84641193.
- ^ a b "Biak Numfor, Papua, Indonesia Deforestation Rates & Statistics". Global Forest Watch. Accessed 16 July 2021. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/IDN/23/2/
- ^ a b "Supiori, Papua, Indonesia Deforestation Rates & Statistics". Global Forest Watch. Accessed 16 July 2021. https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/IDN/23/25/
- ^ "Biak Utara". Protected Planet. Accessed 11 July 2021
- ^ "Pulau Supiori". Protected Planet. Accessed 11 July 2021